Review Summary: The album cover about covers it.
Emissary is a band pretending to produce classic metal. The results are across the board in this sketchily produced album (intentional I’m sure). The buzz of power metal influenced guitars combine with terrible sounding drums; the cymbals practically sound like chiptune, with razor-edged farts. On top of the vocal attack is Liro, a singer possessed by the spirit of Bruce Dickinson or someone crazier. The music lives and dies based on the singer. The vocal style is annoying, ear-splitting and laughable in a good way? Emissary’s self-titled album slaps at the cost of ears and sanity. I will not make the mistake of selling this album short: it is a wild ride. They did not need to go this ham but they did, oh Lordie they did, maybe too ham - roll with the punches or get bloodied.
This album will either have you turning it off right away or laughing away. There is no middle ground in this curb stomping trash heap on fire. I can’t help but enjoy the unadulterated respect to the classics on display, their absurd obsession with pleasing the ancient metal gods. It’s not a great sounding album, it’s nowhere close to being pleasant, but it entertains. Take that how you will.
